Best Fishing Spots in Portland

Poland’s crystal water is a perfect paradise for anglers, boaters, fishers, and adventurers. With the availability of famous aquatic facilities in the Portland area, fishing is a popular hobby among people. In addition, there are several ponds, lakes, and rivers scattered throughout the region, all of which are perfect places for fishing. Portland, Oregon, is primarily an excellent place to fish wild fish like salmon, sturgeon, and steelhead. The Columbia, Willamette, and Sandy rivers are among the best rivers in the country for fishing these larger fish.

Whether you’re fishing for a record sturgeon or enjoying a lazy afternoon beside the river, there are many waterways that, all less than an hour from Portland, provide the perfect setting for any fishing story.

Preparation Before Fishing

Before you start fishing in Portland waters, there are a few things to keep in mind. So before you embark on your fishing adventure, there are a few things you will require.

Oregon Fishing License

Whether you are a resident or a non-resident, you require an Oregon fishing license if you are above the age of 12. While you go fishing in the state, always carry your fishing license to avoid any problems.
The easiest way to get your Oregon fishing license is to visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s online licensing system. Alternatively, you can purchase it by mail, fax, or other Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife office.

There are different types of fishing licenses depending on your age and type of fishing, so check all the options and choose the perfect license for you.

Fishing Equipment

Whether you’re a veteran professional or a newcomer to the Portland fishing scene, you need the right equipment to ensure your success. We encourage you to visit a local store and speak with local fishing guides and experts who have been fishing in the greater Portland area for years. You can choose from different fly tying supplies, fly fishing gear, reels, crabbing gear, nets, bait, etc.

Guides

The weather in Portland changes all the time, so always remember to check the weather conditions before fishing in the waters. Each week, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife publishes a Recreation Report, which provides the latest information on weather conditions at the places you plan to visit. In addition, they come with a full report of the latest regulatory updates to make sure that your water adventure is entirely legal.

Fishing Spots In Portland

Faraday Lake

Faraday Lake spreads across 25 acres, making it the smallest lake on this list. Lake Faraday is about 30 miles southeast of Portland. The small size of the lake means you don’t have to move to fish for trout. Just get anywhere on the bank and cast it with bait. This lake is full of trout that will bite everything.

Farady lake is located on the Clackamas River so that you can catch wild fish easily. There are no entry fees to enter or park as Portland General Electric (PGE) owns the land for this park. Be sure to check PGE’s Faraday Lake website before visiting as they regularly perform maintenance and construction on the power plant. During construction works, PGE closes access to the public.

North Fork Reservoir

North Fork Reservoir is a 324-acre lake that is connected to the Clackamas River. The North Fork Reservoir is located 52 miles southeast of Portland, a little further from Lake Faraday. It is open for boats, so fishing boats and kayaks are found mainly on this lake.

Fortunately, there are not many boats for watersports here, making this lake more suitable for fishers than families. The best and most accessible fishing spots on the North Fork Reservoir are in the boat launch and culvert area. Both areas have their own parking spaces, and you can also park right outside the door to fish after dark. Similar to Lake Faraday, the Reservoir is frequently filled with trout. Just use power bait or bait to make the hungry trout bite.

Blue Lake

Blue Lake spreads across 61 acres, making it the second smallest on this list. Located 15 miles east of Portland near the Columbia River, Blue Lake tops this list for its convenience. While traveling to Multnomah Falls, this lake comes in a way. So you can fish for trout easily on the way back.

This lake is excellent as the authorities keep stocking trout, and it is so small that you will catch these fish quickly. The best place to fish for trout in Blue Lake is between the boat rental area and Swim Beach. There is a boat ramp which is near a natural spot where trout love to swim. Just use a spoon or power bait, and you will fish for trout easily in this lake.

Similar to Lake Hagg, there is a toll booth and closes at sunset. In addition, there is a playground, areas, picnic table lawn, barbecue, and a disc golf course. Fortunately, boats are only allowed at certain times of the year because the lake is so small.

Bethany Lake Park

It is a park spread across 42 acres surrounding Bethany Lake. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife keeps refilling the lake with trout so you can fish easily! It is also a fantastic destination for bird watchers looking for red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, and ospreys diving for trout fish.

Willamette River

The Willamette River is best known for dividing Portland into east and west sides, and therefore it has the city’s famous bridges. Boaters can often pass under bridges searching for other species such as sturgeon, typical tarpon, and perch. Anglers off the coast have seasonal access to Cedar Island at Mary S. Young Park in West Linn.

George Rogers Park, Lake Oswego

Located on the Willamette River, this Lake Oswego spreads across 26 acres of Community Park, two softball/baseball fields, a soccer field, and more. The waterfront provides a great place to fish and also features a historical landmark, the “Iron Oven,”

Boat Ramp Gilbert, Portland

It provides direct access to the Gilbert River, the Multnomah Canal, and Lake Sturgeon. You can surf your boat, kayaks, and canoes from here, and there’s plenty of space to fish off the dock as well.

Wilson River

The Wilson River stretches around 33 miles from the North Oregon Coast Range to Tillamook Bay and is one of the best places in the state for trout, salmon, and Chinook salmon. The river flows west through the Tillamook State Forest, where several campgrounds and day-use areas provide anglers easy access to the river.

Benson Lake, Cascade Locks

Benson Lake is located in the Benson Lake Recreation Area, approximately 30 minutes from downtown Portland. The lake itself is impressive and has excellent water with thousands of trout several times during the fishing season. After a relaxing morning of fishing, you can head to the famous Multnomah Fall for a scenic experience.